Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Irving, Texas, recently reported U.S. promotional products industry revenues in 2012 of $18.5 billion, up from $17.7 billion in 2011, an increase of 4.38%.
According to the association’s annual sales volume study, 2012 saw increases in revenue for both large and small distributor companies. Larger companies with sales of $2.5 million or more experienced a 7.88% increase compared to 2011, while smaller companies saw an increase of 1.06%.
The wearables category, including T-shirts, golf shirts, aprons, uniforms, blazers, caps, headbands, jackets, neckwear, footwear and other items, continues to dominate the rankings with 28.9% of sales, down slightly from 29.64% in 2011. Bags and writing instruments took the Nos. 2 and 3 spots with 8.73% and 8.63% of sales, respectively.
New this year, health and safety products took ninth place with 2.62% of sales, and gift cards debuted at .62%.
Rising in the ranks are food gifts, gaining six places to take over the No. 13 spot, including candy, cookies, nuts, gourmet, meat, spices, bottled water and other drinks. Breaking into the top 10 are textiles, at 2.48% of sales, including flags, towels, umbrellas, pennants, throws and blankets.
Other emerging categories to watch are personal pocket-purse products, which gained four places, moving up to No. 14, and buttons, badges and ribbons, rising four places to No. 16.
“Our industry’s 2012 annual results reflect three consecutive years of solid growth culminating in industry revenues that now exceed pre-recession sales,” says Paul Bellantone, president and CEO of PPAI. “We are encouraged by the continued growth and our strong position in the advertising industry arena.”
For more information, visit ppai.org. — L.M.
